The University of Colorado Boulder last week signed on to the United Nations Sports for Climate Action Framework, becoming the first university to do so.

The UN initiative aims to establish a clear path for the global sports community to fight climate change, and also to use sports as a tool to unite all citizens toward climate action, according to its website.

CU Boulder joins the International Olympic Committee, FIFA, the NBA and others in the agreement, according to a university news release.

CU Boulder Athletic Director Rick George in a phone interview said the commitment “makes a lot of sense.”

“We’ve long been early adopters of things as it relates to sustainability,” he said.

Those who signed the framework commit to five things: reducing overall climate impact, educating others on climate action, promoting sustainable consumption, advocating for climate action and promoting environmental responsibility.

George said the department has already accomplished a lot of its goals. In 2008, the athletic department announced Ralphie’s Green Stampede, the first NCAA Division I athletics sustainability program in the nation. Since then, the department has built four LEED Platinum buildings and established zero net water use in all facilities and a zero waste program in each venue. All of the packing in the stadium is refillable, recyclable or compostable.

“This is kinda in our DNA, it’s kinda who we are,” George said.

George intends to make the biggest impact by providing a platform for conversations around climate action. The department already does a lot of teaching about what’s recyclable, he said, and can use their messaging on video boards and in broadcasts to spread the message of the five core values.

Chancellor Phil DiStefano in the news release said he also believes the department can help raise awareness.

“Athletics provides an excellent platform for raising the profile of these efforts and we’re proud to be at the forefront of this new framework,” DiStefano said.

Eventually, George said they hope other institutions in the PAC-12 and beyond join the initiative.

“We’re glad that we’re taking the lead,” he said. “It’s important to our culture and who we are.”

Madeline St. Amour covers the University of Colorado at the Boulder Daily Camera. She previously has covered local crime and breaking news at the Times-Call; and has covered six municipalities in Maine, the New York State Legislature and breaking news in the capital of New York.